MOBILE, Alabama - When true freshman punter Corliss Waitman says South Alabama was the right choice for him to play his college career because it felt like home, he isn't just using a cliché. His father, Jose, played basketball at the school from 1983-86 and the younger Waitman can recall stories his dad told him of his playing days with the Jaguars.

Because of that association, playing at South Alabama perhaps holds a little deeper meaning for Waitman than some others on the Jags' roster; his father died a little more than a year ago. But lessons Jose Waitman passed on to his son push the younger Waitman as he competes for the starting punting duties for the Jags this season.

"My dad, he was fun and crazy,'' Waitman said following a recent practice. "He always told me stories of what to do and what not to do in college. He told me how to stay focused. He played basketball overseas as a professional and he said you have to be dedicated. He was a good mentor to me. That has helped me out and still helps me out. I remember those things and remember to stay focused.''

The close relationship he had with his dad, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Dutch Basketball League during the 1986-87 season, had an impact when South Alabama began recruiting him, Waitman said. When he stepped on campus, there was something special about the place to him, he said.

When he prepares for practices, Waitman said he keeps in mind the lessons his dad taught him. That's true on the field too, he added, noting when he isn't having a good day or has a bad punt, he tries to recall what his dad might say to him, how he might encourage him.

"He always told me never, never, never say can't and don't try to be average, try to be great,'' Waitman, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder from Milton, Fla., said. "Those are the main things. He didn't know a lot about kicking, but he still supported me a lot. He would always say, 'You've got to grind out there if you want it.' That was before I got any (scholarship) offers. He would say, 'You've got to grind.'

"Now that I'm here at South Alabama, that's what I keep telling myself - don't be average, don't be average.''

At Milton High School, Waitman was rated a three-star punting prospect by ESPN.com and a two-star punter by 247Sports, though 247Sports rated him the fifth-best punting prospect in the country. As a senior, he averaged 44 yards per punt (43 attempts) while also making 8 of 10 field goal tries and 15 of 16 extra-point kicks. He booted 80 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone for a touchdback.

He was also recruited by Maryland, Memphis and Middle Tennessee, but South Alabama felt like home, he said.

"My dad went here - he passed away last April - and I just wanted to come here,'' Waitman said. "I love the environment and the coaches here and being able to come here, with my dad having been here, it's a big thing for me. I'm just happy to be here. I didn't choose here just because my dad came here, but it was a big factor. I had to feel comfortable here. I felt more comfortable here (during recruiting) than anywhere, so that was big for me too.''

In last Saturday's scrimmage, Waitman had two punts for an average of 52 yards per try. He is in a tight competition with returning player Brandon McKee for the starting job, a competition that is expected to continue right up until days before the Jags' season-opener at Kent State on Sept. 6.

"The specialists have been helping me out and giving me tips,'' Waitman said. "Brandon and the snappers are great and the coaches have been great. ... It was kind of new for me, but the other specialists told me to just calm down and just have fun out there. That really helped me calm down and just perform with those guys. I'm starting to feel more comfortable. I'm still kind of nervous because it's a whole new environment. But I'm having fun out here and when I have fun, I perform better.''

That performance has gained the attention of head coach Joey Jones.

"He's definitely moving up and showing that he can do it,'' Jones said. "He has a winning personality and when he kicks a bad one it's like water off a duck's back, it doesn't bother him. He has that going for him and he's doing a good job. There's still time and he's got to fight for what he gets.''

That's true of all the kicking jobs - punting, field goals and kickoffs - Jones said, each of the positions featuring strong competition at the moment.

"This is by far the best overall kickers we've had,'' Jones said. "The kickoff spot is kind of open and the field goal race is tight right now. ... The punting thing is still tight. The good thing is we've got quality guys and I think we'll be all right whichever way we go.''